Apparatus comprising a check valve for dispensing e-liquids

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a check valve may be utilized to transfer E-liquid from a storage container into an electronic vaporization device, such that unintended leakage of the E-liquid may not occur. An apparatus comprising a check valve, wherein the apparatus is pre-loaded with E-liquid, may be used to dispense liquid into an electronic vaporization device.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/976,225, entitled “Apparatus Comprising A Check Valve forDispensing E-Liquids,” filed on Apr. 7, 2014, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure is directed to an apparatus comprising a check valve. Theapparatus may be utilized to transfer E-liquid into the chamber of anelectronic vaporization device, such that unintended leakage and/orspillage of the E-liquid may not occur. The apparatus may be used totransfer E-liquid into a top-filled chamber or a bottom-filled chamber.The disclosure is further directed to an assembly of an apparatuscomprising a check valve and an E-liquid storage container. The assemblyallows the E-liquid to be stored without accidental dispensing and/orspilling of the E-liquid.

BACKGROUND

Vaporization provides an alternative to combustion for the delivery andconsumption of various substances. Typically the substance to bevaporized is present in a liquid, which is commonly referred to as an“E-liquid.” Examples of substances to be vaporized that are present inan E-liquid are selected from the group of: glycerin, propylene glycol,flavorings, nicotine, medicaments and combinations thereof. Vaporizationmay be accomplished using electronic vaporization devices, including,but not limited to, electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronicpipes and electronic vaporizers.

Oftentimes, the E-liquid to be vaporized is placed into a chamber, whicheither contains, or interfaces with, a heat source in the electronicvaporization device. The chamber which contains the E-liquid may take avariety of forms, depending upon the configuration of the electronicvaporization device. Some chambers are referred to in the art as“cartomizers.” Cartomizers that are see-through, i.e. made of plastic orglass for example, are oftentimes referred to as “clearomizers.”Typically, cartomizers and clearomizers contain a heating source, suchas an atomizer. The cartomizer or clearomizer may further compriseabsorbent material with or without an associated wick that act(s) totransport E-liquid to the heating source that vaporizes E-liquid. Thecartomizer or clearomizer may further comprise a vapor chimney throughwhich the resulting E-liquid vapor passes to be delivered to theconsumer, such as via a mouthpiece.

Once an E-liquid is consumed, the chamber may be discarded and replacedwith a new, full chamber. However, some chambers are re-fillable. Aconsumer may refill a chamber with E-liquid by opening the chamber andusing for example, a dropper or syringe, to dispense the E-liquid intothe chamber. This process may be characterized by several disadvantages.First, if during the filling process, E-liquid is errantly dispensedinto the vapor chimney, the heating source may be compromised and/orleakage from the chamber may occur. For example, if the heating sourceis an atomizer, the atomizer may become clogged by the E-liquid,resulting in the malfunction of the electronic vaporization device.Second, and perhaps more importantly, transferring the E-liquid from itsstorage bottle to the cartomizer may result in spillage of the E-liquid.In addition to being messy, spillage of the E-liquid may be particularlydisadvantageous if the E-liquid contains a substance, nicotine forexample, which ideally should not be in direct contact with the skin ofa human or animal.

For these and other reasons, there remains a need for an apparatus fordispensing E-liquids into the chamber of an electronic vaporizationdevice that minimizes, if not eliminates, the spillage and/or leaking ofan E-liquid when it is being transferred into the chamber. Additionally,there remains a need for such an apparatus that will prevent E-liquidfrom errantly being dispensed into the vapor chimney of the chamber.Moreover, there remains a need for an apparatus that will minimize, ifnot eliminate, a human's (e.g., a consumer's, or a child's) or ananimal's (e.g. a pet's) contact with the E-liquid during E-liquidstorage and/or dispensing. Moreover, it would be advantageous if such anapparatus could be used to dispense E-liquid into either a top-filled orbottom-filled chamber.

SUMMARY

The unique solution that addresses the aforementioned need is a newapparatus comprising a check valve. The apparatus minimizes, if noteliminates, the leakage and/or spillage of an E-liquid when it is beingdispensed into the chamber of an electronic vaporization device,regardless of whether the chamber is configured to be filled through itstop or bottom. The apparatus according to the present disclosure mayaccomplish this, at least in part, by precisely aligning the opening ofan E-liquid storage bottle, with the opening in the cartomizer intowhich the E-liquid is to be dispensed. Additionally or alternatively,the apparatus may physically block the vapor chimney in the chamber. Byblocking the vapor chimney, the apparatus may prevent misdirection ofthe E-liquid and in turn, prevent subsequent leakage of the E-liquidfrom the chamber, and consequent exposure of the consumer, to theE-liquid. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus may be engagedwith an E-liquid storage container to form an assembly such thatE-liquid is prevented from accidentally spilling from the container; insome embodiments, the assembly may be sold as a unit. Such an assemblymay also prevent leakage and/or contamination of the outside of theE-liquid storage container, and consequent exposure of anyone, e.g. ahuman or pet, which comes into contact with the E-liquid storagecontainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a typical Electronic VaporizationDevice.

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c are schematic diagrams of a top-filled chamber,or a top-filled chamber and mouthpiece, of use in the ElectronicVaporization Device shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and 3 c are schematic diagrams of a bottom-fed chamber,or a bottom-fed chamber and mouthpiece, of use in the ElectronicVaporization Device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of anembodiment of an apparatus according to the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a top plan view of the apparatusof FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of anassembly of the apparatus of FIG. 4 and an E-liquid bottle.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of FIG. 6 attached to achamber into which E-liquid may be dispensed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of an apparatus according to the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of an apparatus according to the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of anassembly of the apparatus of FIG. 9 and an E-liquid bottle.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of FIG. 10 attached to achamber into which E-liquid may be dispensed.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams showing cross-section views ofadapters that may be used in conjunction with the apparatuses accordingto the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “chamber,” “liquid chamber,” “tank,” “liquidmizer,”“cartomizer” and “clearomizer,” are used interchangeably herein to meana reservoir that contains an E-liquid to be vaporized by an electronicvaporization device. A chamber may or may not contain the heat source,e.g. an atomizer, which is utilized to vaporize the E-liquid. A chambermay be filled with E-liquid through its open top, i.e., be a “top-filledchamber,” or it may be filled with E-liquid through its open bottom,i.e., a “bottom-filled chamber.”

“Check valve” as used herein means a valve that allows E-liquid to flowthrough it in only one direction.

“Electronic vaporization device,” hereinafter “EVD,” as used hereinmeans any electronic device which vaporizes liquid for consumptionincluding, but not limited to, via inhalation, by a consumer. EVDsinclude, but are not limited to: electronic cigarettes; electroniccigars; and electronic vaporizers.

“B-liquid storage container,” “B-liquid container,” “storage container,”“B-liquid bottle,” “storage bottle,” and “container” are usedinterchangeably herein to mean a vessel that contains E-liquid.

The elements or features of the various embodiments are described indetail hereinafter. Any reference to a singular characteristic orlimitation of the present disclosure shall include the correspondingplural characteristics or limitations, and vice versa, unless otherwisespecified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which thereference is made.

The apparatuses and methods described herein may comprise, consist of,or consist essentially of the elements and features of the disclosuredescribed herein, as well as any additional or optional components, orfeatures described herein or otherwise useful in relation to theaforementioned apparatuses and methods.

All documents (patents, patent applications and other publications)cited in this application are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIG. 1 shows a typical EVD 500. The EVD 500 comprises a batterycompartment 510 that is removeably attached to a chamber 200. Thechamber 200 is in turn removeably attached to a mouthpiece 530.

Referencing FIG. 2 a, the chamber 200 and mouthpiece 530 are shown afterthey have been detached from the battery compartment 510 (not shown) andeach other. In this embodiment, the chamber 200 has an open top 511.E-liquid is dispensed into the chamber 200 through the open top 511,typically using an eye dropper or syringe; thus the chamber is atop-filled chamber. The mouthpiece 530 is then reattached to the opentop 511 of the chamber 200 so that the chamber 200 is sealed. Thefilling process may occur with or without detaching the chamber 200 fromthe battery compartment 510 of the EVD.

FIG. 2 b shows the chamber 200 of FIG. 2 a in a disassembled state.Beginning at the left of FIG. 2 b, an atomizer assembly 230 is shown.Extending from the atomizer assembly 230 is a vapor chimney 231, whichis surrounded in part by a silicone or rubber ring 232. When the chamber200 is assembled, the atomizer assembly 230 and vapor chimney 231 fitinto the chamber 200. The chamber 200 is capped at its open top 511 by ahollow metal ring 234 that is threaded on the inside and which serves asthe attachment point of the mouthpiece (not shown) to the chamber 200.

FIG. 2 c is a top plan view of the chamber 200 shown in FIG. 2 b afterit has been reassembled, i.e., the atomizer assembly 230 and vaporchimney 231 have been re-inserted into the chamber 200, such that thechamber contains them. Starting at the edges of the chamber 200 andmoving inward, FIG. 2 c shows the hollow metal ring 234. Moving furtherinward, the silicone or rubber ring 232 and top of the vapor chimney 231are shown. As can be seen in FIG. 2 c, there is a narrow gap 240 betweenthe silicone or rubber ring 232 and the hollow metal ring 234; it isthrough the narrow gap 240 that E-liquid is dispensed to fill thechamber 200. Since the gap 240 is narrow, it can be very difficult tofill the chamber 200 without spilling the E-liquid down the outside ofthe chamber 200 and contaminating the outside of the chamber 200, and/orthe other portions of the EVD. Moreover, if the narrow gap 240 is missedor filled too quickly, E-liquid may undesirably be dispensed into thetop 233 of the vapor chimney 231, which may in turn result inmalfunction of the EVD.

FIG. 3 a shows an alternative embodiment of a chamber 200 that is foundin EVDs that are currently on the market. Rather than detach themouthpiece 530 from the top 511 of the chamber 200 to fill the chamberwith E-liquid, the atomizer assembly 230 is removed from the bottom 512of the chamber 200, as shown in FIG. 3 b.

FIG. 3 b shows the chamber 200 of FIG. 3 a, after the atomizer assembly230 has been removed. FIG. 3 c shows a bottom plan view of the chamber200 of FIG. 3 b. Starting at the edges of the chamber 200 and movinginward, FIG. 2 c shows a hollow metal ring 234 that is threaded on theinside and which serves as the attachment point of the atomizer assembly230. Moving further inward, the bottom 232 of the vapor chimney 231 isshown. As can be seen in FIG. 3 c, there is a narrow gap 240 between thebottom 232 of the vapor chimney 231 and the hollow metal ring 234. It isthrough the narrow gap 240 that E-liquid is dispensed to fill thechamber 200. Thus the chamber 200 depicted in FIG. 3 b is abottom-filled chamber. Since the gap 240 is narrow, it can be verydifficult to fill the chamber 200 without spilling the E-liquid down theoutside of the chamber 200 and contaminating the outside of the chamber200, and/or the other portions of the EVD (e.g., the mouthpiece).Moreover, if the narrow gap 240 is missed or filled too quickly,E-liquid may undesirably be dispensed into the bottom 232 of the vaporchimney 231. This can be problematic, because E-liquid may then flowfrom the vapor chimney 231 into the atomizer assembly 230 after thechamber 200 has been reassembled, thereby contaminating the atomizerassembly and possibly causing it to malfunction.

In spite of the presence of narrow gaps and/or small openings throughwhich E-liquid is dispensed, the apparatus according to the presentdisclosure may eliminate the aforementioned problems regardless ofwhether the chamber is top-filled or bottom-filled.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an apparatus 100 according to the presentdisclosure. The apparatus 100 comprises a housing 4. The housing 4comprises a base 1 and a top 8, and encloses a void 50 that isconfigured to contain E-liquid. Each of these features is discussed inturn below.

In general, the base of the apparatus comprises at least one liquidpassageway and/or hole through which E-liquid may travel into theapparatus from an E-liquid storage container that is attached thereto asdescribed below. The liquid passageway and/or holes may be formed in anysuitable way using structural means so long as adequate flow of E-liquidfrom the E-liquid storage container into the apparatus is achieved.Useful structural means may be selected from the group of: o-rings;ports; metal rings; rubber rings; silicone rings; and combinationsthereof. In some embodiments, the liquid passageway and/or holes provideonly for one-way flow, meaning that E-liquid may flow from the E-liquidstorage container through the liquid passageway and/or holes into theapparatus, but E-liquid may not flow out of the apparatus through theliquid passageway and/or holes. This one-way feature prevents leakage ofthe E-liquid from the apparatus, which is a particularly desirablefeature after the apparatus has been detached from the E-liquid storagecontainer, and is stored until its next use. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, two liquid passageways 7 end as holes 7 a in the base 1 of thehousing 4.

In further reference to FIG. 4, the base 1 of the apparatus 100 isconnected at its first end to a first lateral wall 41 and at its secondend to a second lateral wall 42. The first lateral wall 41 and secondlateral wall 42 each join to an opposite side of the top 8 of thehousing. As shown in FIG. 4, the first lateral wall 41 and the secondlateral wall 42 are linear, identical in thickness and parallel to eachother, such that the apparatus has a substantially tubular shape.However, any suitable lateral wall configuration may be utilized. Forexample, in some embodiments, the lateral walls may be curvilinear, suchas to form an apparatus that is substantially spherical orhemispherical. In some embodiments, the lateral walls may join toadditional walls to form an apparatus having a substantially cubical,cuboidal pyramidal or prismatic shape. In some embodiments, the lateralwalls may be angled in relation to each other, such as to form anapparatus comprising a substantially conical or frustoconical shape. Inany of the embodiments, the lateral walls may comprise identical orvariable thicknesses.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the housing 4 of the apparatus 100 encloses avoid 50, which may store E-liquid, and/or through which E-liquid maypass. In some embodiments, the void is defined by the interior of: thebase 1; the first lateral wall 41; the second lateral wall 42; and thetop 8 of the housing. In embodiments like those shown in FIG. 4, thevoid is defined by the interior walls of: the base 1, the first lateralwall 41, the second lateral wall 42; and the internal walls 51. Thevolume of the void 50 may be adjusted by re-configuring the thickness ofthe base 1, lateral walls 41, 42, interior walls 51 and/or top 8 of thehousing. In addition, or in the alternative, the volume of the void 50may be modified by adding additional interior walls. In general, thevolume of the void may be adjusted in order to store a predeterminedamount of the E-liquid in the chamber, and/or to deliver a predeterminedamount of E-liquid into the chamber to be filled.

The top of the apparatus housing may comprise an engagement means forbeing connected to either the top or the bottom of a chamber into whichE-liquid is to be dispensed. Any suitable engagement means may be usedto removeably connect the top of the housing to the chamber to be filledso long as the engagement means provides for a seal between the top ofthe housing and the chamber. Useful engagement means are selected fromthe group of: slots; silicone seals; and combinations thereof In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the engagement means comprises a threadedslot 5. The threaded slot 5 is shown from a different perspective inFIG. 5, which is a top plan view of the top 8 of the apparatus housing4. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the slot 5 comprises a circular channelthat is located near the periphery of the top 8 of the housing 4. Inthis embodiment, the slot 5 is shaped to accept the threaded hollowmetal ring 234 at the top of the clearomizer chamber 200 that is shownin FIG. 2 c, or to accept the threaded hollow metal ring at the bottomof the clearomizer chamber that is shown in FIG. 3 c. The slot 5 mayserve as a guide to align the check valve of the apparatus with thechamber as described in detail below. Other means of alignment may beused instead of or in combination with the slot. Useful means may beselected from the group of: slots; metal pins; gasket seals; andcombinations thereof In one embodiment, the alignment means comprises apin protruding from the closing member of the apparatus, wherein the pininserts into the vapor chimney.

FIG. 5 also shows that in the depicted embodiment, the top 8 of thehousing 4 further comprises an opening 60 through which E-liquid isdispensed from the apparatus 100 into a chamber (not shown). The opening60 may be sealed by a check valve 6 that regulates the flow of E-liquidfrom the apparatus 100. The check valve 6 may comprise a closing member16 having any suitable shape as long as the closing member 16 seals theopening 60 when the valve is in the closed position such that E-liquidmay not leak from the apparatus 100 when it is not in use. Suitableshapes of the closing member may be selected from the group of:spherical, hemispherical, rectangular, conical, cubical, pyramidal,prismatic, and frusticonical. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, theclosing member 16 is frusticonical. The closing member may be made fromany suitable material as long as it is sufficiently rigid to block andseal the vapor chimney. In some embodiments, the closing membercomprises: plastic; metal; silicone; and combinations thereof.

The check valve shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is in the closed position. In theclosed position, the closing member 16 may be seated against the opening60 by a biasing member. In the depicted embodiment, the biasing memberis a spring 2, which is connected at a first end 21 to the closingmember 16 and at a second end 22 to the base 1 of the housing 4. In someembodiments, the biasing member may be selected from: a spring; acompressible hydraulic element, such as a sealed air chamber; andcombinations thereof. The movement of the check valve 6 may berestricted such that it will maintain the positioning of the biasingmember 2 and the movement of the closing member 16. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 4, a base support 3 is configured to maintain the spring 2position.

Generally, when in use, the base of the apparatus may be engaged with anE-liquid storage container using attachment means that prevent leakageof the E-liquid from the attachment point. Useful attachment means maybe selected from the group of: welds, e.g., ultrasonic welds; threads;magnetic connectors; flanges and combinations thereof. FIG. 6 shows howan embodiment of the apparatus 100 as depicted in FIG. 4 may be sealablyattached to an E-liquid container. Specifically, the base 1 of theapparatus 100 is inserted into the mouth 401 of an E-liquid bottle 400.In this embodiment, flanges 11 on the base 1 of the apparatus 100 holdsthe E-liquid bottle 400 and apparatus 100 together in a sealed position.The E-liquid bottle 400 and apparatus 100 may be sold in this assembledconfiguration, i.e., sold as an assembly, and/or stored in thisassembled configuration, i.e., stored as an assembly, until the consumeris ready to dispense E-liquid into a chamber.

In use, the top of the apparatus may be engaged with a chamber intowhich E-liquid is to be dispensed as follows. The top of the apparatusis aligned and sealably connected with the open top of a top-filledchamber, or the open bottom of a bottom-filled chamber; this may beaccomplished using any suitable means, including, but not limited to bybeing: screwed together via threaded connections; magnetically coupled;pressure fitted together; and combinations thereof.

FIG. 7 shows an example of an apparatus 100 that has been engaged withthe top-filled chamber 200 shown in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c. As can beseen in FIG. 7, the top of the apparatus 100 and the hollow metal ring234 that otherwise serves as the attachment point between the chamber200 the mouthpiece 530 (shown in FIG. 2 a), are aligned together via theslots 5 in the top 8 of the housing 4. Once the top 8 of the apparatus100 and the chamber 200 are aligned, they are sealably engaged byscrewing them together (screw threads not shown). When the apparatus 100and chamber 200 are engaged, the vapor chimney 231 presses against theclosing member 6. When the biasing force of the spring 2 against theclosing member 6 is overcome by the force exerted by the vapor chimney231 against the closing member 6, the closing member 6 is unseated andthe opening 60 is unsealed. E-Liquid 300 is then free to pass from theapparatus 100 into the chamber 200. By virtue of the vapor chimney 231pressing against the closing member 6, the vapor chimney 231 istemporarily sealed so that no E-liquid 300 may pass into the vaporchimney 231 and potentially contaminate the heat source, in thisembodiment, an atomizer.

The same apparatus 100 may likewise be used to dispense E-liquid into abottom-filled chamber. Referencing FIGS. 3 a-c, the top of the apparatuswould be attached to the open bottom 512 of a chamber at the hollowmetal ring 234 that otherwise serves as the attachment point for theatomizer assembly 230.

E-liquid may be dispensed into the clearomizer several ways. First, anapparatus 100 that has been attached at its base to an E-liquidcontainer 400 (for example, as shown in FIG. 6) may then be joined atits top to the chamber 200 to be filled (for example, as shown in FIG.7), and the resulting assembly may be inverted so that E-liquid may flowfrom the storage bottle, through the apparatus and into the chamber.Second, the apparatus 100 and chamber 200 to be filled may first beattached together at the top of the apparatus 100 and then the bottom ofthe apparatus may be attached to the storage bottle 400 (for example, asshown in FIG. 7) to form an assembly. The resulting assembly may then beinverted so that E-liquid may flow from the storage bottle, through theapparatus and into the clearomizer. Third, the apparatus 100 may beattached to the storage bottle 400 (for example, as shown in FIG. 6) andfilled with E-liquid, detached from the storage bottle 400 and thenattached to the chamber 200 to be filled so that E-liquid may flow fromthe apparatus into the clearomizer. Regardless of which method is used,the apparatus provides for means of dispensing E-liquid from (1) astorage bottle into the (2) apparatus and from the apparatus into a (3)chamber to be filled without leakage or spillage of the E-liquid fromany of the three and/or at the points at which they are attached. As aresult, there is no accidental exposure of humans or animals to theE-liquid.

Referring to FIG. 7, once the desired amount of E-liquid is dispensedinto the chamber 200 from the apparatus 100, the apparatus 100 may bedisengaged from the chamber 200. The disengagement results in theremoval of the force exerted by the vapor chimney 231 against theclosing member 6 such that the biasing force of the spring 2 forces theclosing member 6 back into the opening 60 (as shown in FIG. 6). Once theclosing member 6 is re-seated in the opening 60, the apparatus 100 isre-sealed, and advantageously no E-liquid 300 remaining therein mayundesirably leak therefrom.

Still referencing FIG. 6, once the apparatus 100 and the chamber 200 aredisengaged, the chamber 200 may be re-sealed such as by screwing amouthpiece back into place (as shown in FIG. 2 a). In some embodiments,the apparatus 100 may remain engaged with the E-liquid storage bottle400 until such time as the storage bottle is emptied of its E-liquidcontents. In the alternative, the apparatus 100 may be removed from thestorage bottle 400 and stored for future use.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional schematic view of another embodiment of anapparatus 100 according to the present disclosure; this embodimentcomprises an apparatus 100 that is pre-loaded with E-liquid 1000. i.e.,a “pre-loaded apparatus.” By utilizing a pre-loaded apparatus, there isno need to transfer E-liquid from a storage bottle into the apparatus,which eliminates the associated potential for leakage or spillage. Thepre-loaded apparatus may be disposable, and may be sold alone ortogether in a pack. If sold together in a pack, the E-liquid containedin pre-loaded apparatuses may be the same or different.

As can be seen in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the pre-loadedapparatus 100 has features in common with the embodiment shown anddescribed above in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4, with the followingexceptions: the base 8 of the apparatus 100 does not comprise liquidpassageways and/or holes.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional schematic view of another embodiment of anapparatus 100 according to the present disclosure. The embodiment of theapparatus 100 shown in FIG. 9 has features in common with the embodimentshown and described above in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4, with thefollowing exceptions: the positions of the check valve 6 and liquidpassageways and/or holes 7, 7 a are reversed, and the mode of connectingthe apparatus to the clearomizer to be filled with E-liquid container isalso different. These and other features of the embodiment shown in FIG.9 are described below.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the housing 4 of the apparatus 100comprises a base 1 with a flange 11. The base has an opening 60 throughwhich E-liquid may travel. The base 1 is connected at its first end to afirst lateral wall 41 and at its second end to a second lateral wall 42.The first lateral wall 41 and second lateral wall 42 join to the top 8of the housing 4 at opposite sides thereof. The top 8 of the housing 4may be shaped in any suitable way to be engaged with the open portion ofa chamber to be filled with E-liquid (not shown). In the embodimentshown in FIG. 9, the top 8 of the housing 4 has a frustoconical shape sothat it may be inserted into the mouth of an E-liquid storage bottle(not shown).

The opening 60 in the base of the apparatus in FIG. 9 is reversiblysealed by a check valve 6. Check valves of use may comprise a closingmember having any suitable shape, including, but not limited to:spherical, hemispherical, rectangular, conical, or frusticonical. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 9, the check valve 6 comprises a closing member16 that is spherical. The check valve 6 shown in FIG. 9 is in the closedposition. In the closed position, the closing member 16 is seatedagainst the opening 60 by a biasing member. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, the biasing member is a spring 2, which is connected at a firstend 21 to the closing member 16 and at a second end 22 to the base 1 ofan interior wall 53 of the housing 4. The movement of the check valve 6may be restricted such that it will maintain the position of the biasingmember 2, and the movement of the closing member 16. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 9, a base support 3 is configured to maintain the spring 2position.

In embodiments like the one shown in FIG. 9, the housing 4 encloses avoid 50, which may contain E-liquid, and/or through which E-liquid maypass. Like the embodiment shown and described in relating to FIGS. 4 and5, the volume of the void 50 in the present embodiment may be adjustedby re-configuring the thickness of the lateral walls 42 and interiorwalls 51, 53 and/or adding additional internal wall(s). In general, thevolume of the void 50 may be adjusted in order to store and/or deliver apredetermined amount of E-liquid into the chamber 200.

In embodiments like the one shown in FIG. 9, the top 8 of the housingcomprises at least one passageway in communication with the void 50, andthrough which liquid may travel. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, twoliquid passageways 7 extend through an interior wall 51 a of the housing4 adjacent to the top 8 of the housing 4, and end at holes 7 a in thetop 8 of the housing 4. In general, the liquid passageway and/or holesmay be discrete structures or integral structures. Like the embodimentshown and described in relating to FIGS. 4 and 5, the liquid passagewayand/or holes in the presently described embodiment may be formed in anysuitable way using structural means. Non-limiting examples of usefulstructural means may be selected from: o-rings; ports; metal rings;rubber rings; silicone rings; and combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 10, the base 1 of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 9,may be inserted into the opening 401 of an E-liquid storage container400, which in the depicted embodiment is a storage bottle containing theE-liquid 300 to be dispensed into the chamber 200. The flange 11 on thebase 1 of the apparatus 100 may hold the storage bottle 400 andapparatus 100 together, such as by engaging an inside thread in themouth of the bottle. In some embodiments, the flange may flare so thatthe apparatus may no longer be disengaged from the storage bottlewithout irreversibly damaging the inside thread(s) in the mouth of thestorage bottle The storage bottle 400 and apparatus 100 may then beinverted, and the top 8 of the apparatus 100 aligned with the open top301 of the chamber 200 to be filled with E-liquid 300. Alignment of thetop 8 of the apparatus 100 and open top 301 of the chamber 200 may beaccomplished using any suitable means, including by shaping the top 8 ofthe housing 4 of the apparatus 100 to fit snugly inside the open top 301of the chamber 200 as shown in FIG. 10, or alternatively, by shaping thetop 8 of the housing 4 to fit snugly on the outside of the open top ofthe chamber (not shown) to be filled with E-Liquid 300.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, the top 8 of the apparatus 100 and the metalring 234 on the top of the chamber 200 are aligned together and engagedsuch that the interior wall 51 a of the housing 4 adjacent to the top 8of the housing 4, presses against the vapor chimney 231, and seals itagainst entry of E-liquid 300, and potential contamination of the vaporchimney 231.

E-liquid may then be dispensed into the cartomizer 520 as follows. Whenthe biasing force of the spring 2 against the closing member 6 isovercome by a force exerted by a consumer squeezing the storage bottle400 containing the E-liquid, the closing member 6 is unseated and theopening 60 is unsealed. E-Liquid 300 is then free to pass into thechamber 200, after which it is gravity fed and/or pushed by squeezingthe bottle through the apparatus and into the chamber to be filled. Byvirtue of the vapor chimney 231 pressing against the closing member 6,the vapor chimney 231 is sealed off so that no E-liquid 300 may passinto the vapor chimney 231 and potentially contaminate the heat source,in this embodiment, an atomizer (not shown).

The same apparatus 100 may likewise be used to dispense E-liquid into abottom-filled chamber. Referencing FIGS. 3 a-c, the top of the apparatuswould be attached to the open bottom 512 of a chamber at the hollowmetal ring 234 that otherwise serves as the attachment point for theatomizer assembly 230.

Once the desired amount of E-liquid 300 is dispensed into the chamber200, the force exerted by squeezing the storage bottle 400 is removed,such as by the consumer relaxing his or her grip on the storage bottle400. Removal of this force allows the biasing force of the spring 2 toforce the closing member 6 back into the opening 60. Once the closingmember 6 is re-seated in the opening 60, the apparatus 100 is re-sealed,and no E-liquid 300 remaining therein may escape. Generally, E-liquid isprevented from escaping from the fluid passageways 7 in the top 8 of theapparatus 100 by capillary action acting on the viscous E-liquid and bythe exertion of negative pressure on the E-liquid in the fluidpassageways 7 resulting from the consumer relaxing his or her grip onthe storage bottle 400. Moreover, no E-liquid 300 may flow from thestorage bottle 400 into the apparatus 100. Likewise, no E-liquid 300 mayaccidentally leak or spill from the storage bottle 400.

Once the apparatus 100 and the chamber 200 are disengaged, the chamber200 may be re-sealed such as by screwing the mouthpiece (not shown) ofthe chamber 200 back into place. The apparatus 100 may be retained in anengaged position with the E-liquid storage bottle 400 until such time asthe storage bottle 400 is emptied of its E-liquid 300 contents. Shouldthe bottle 400 accidentally be squeezed while the apparatus 100 andstorage bottle 400 are engaged, no leakage of the E-liquid 300 outsideof the storage bottle 400 may occur, thus preventing any unwantedcontact with the E-liquid 300.

EVDs 500 that are currently on the market vary in shape and size. Inorder for the apparatus 100 to be used with a wide variety of EVDs 500,the apparatus may further comprise one or more adapters 600. The adapter600 may be integral to the apparatus 100 or may be attached thereto asneeded. For example, a relatively short adapter 600 may be useful forconnecting the apparatus 100 to a chamber 200 having a relatively tallvapor chimney 231 so that the vapor chimney 231 is effectively sealedoff by the closing member 16 during E-liquid dispensing as discussedabove. Likewise, a relatively longer adapter 600 may be useful forconnecting the apparatus 100 to a chamber 200 having a relatively shortvapor chimney 231. In a further example, the apparatus 100 may have asmaller or larger width or diameter than the top of the chamber 200, andas such, an adapter would enable the apparatus 100 to be inserted intoor around a chamber 200 that it would not otherwise fit. By utilizing anadapter 600 that is universal or a set of adapters 600 having differentsizes, in conjunction with the apparatus 100, a variety of chambers 200,such as chambers 200 made by different manufacturers, may be filledusing a single apparatus 100.

For instance, FIG. 12 shows an adaptor 600 for use with a top-filled EVD500. Adaptor 600 comprises a top 602, a bottom 608, and a wall 610extending between the top 602 and the bottom 608. Adaptor 600 furthercomprises a tube 630 extending centrally through the adaptor 600. Thetop 602 includes an opening 604 configured to receive the top 8 of theapparatus 100. When the apparatus 100 is coupled with the adapter 600,the closing member 16 of the apparatus is aligned with the tube 630 ofthe adapter 600. The bottom 608 of the adapter 600 is then coupled withthe chamber 200 of the EVD 500 such that the chimney 231 is aligned withthe tube 630 of the adapter 600. With chimney 231 aligned with tube 630and closing member 16, chimney 231 is sealed off so that no E-liquid 300may pass into the chimney 231 and potentially contaminate the heatsource, in this embodiment, an atomizer (not shown). The height of tube630 thereby allows adapter 600 to account for chimneys 231 of varyingheights.

As also shown in FIG. 12, the diameter of the EVD 500 is larger than thediameter of the apparatus 100. Accordingly, the diameter of the bottom608 of the adapter 600 is sized to correspond to the diameter of the EVD500, while the diameter of the opening 604 of the top 602 is sized tocorrespond to the diameter of the apparatus 100. In other embodiments,the diameter of the EVD 500 is smaller than the diameter of theapparatus 100. The opening 604 and the bottom 608 of the adapter 600 canbe adjusted to accommodate this. Adapter 600 thereby allows an apparatus100 to be used with EVDs 500 of varying sizes relative to the apparatus100.

FIG. 13 shows another adapter 600 that is similar to the adapter 600described above, except that the adapter 600 of FIG. 13 is for use witha bottom-filled EVD 500. Referencing FIGS. 3 a-c, the bottom of theadapter 608 would be attached to the open bottom 512 of a chamber at thehollow metal ring 234 that otherwise serves as the attachment point forthe atomizer assembly 230.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for dispensing E-liquid into achamber of an electronic vaporization device, the apparatus comprising:(a) a housing comprising a top and a base and enclosing a void that isconfigured to contain the E-liquid, wherein: ii. the top comprises:
 1. afirst fluid passageway in fluid communication with the void and throughwhich the E-liquid is dispensed into the chamber; and
 2. a firstengagement means configured to attach the apparatus to the chamber sothat the first fluid passageway is in fluid communication with thechamber; and ii. the base comprises:
 1. a second fluid passageway influid communication with the void and through which E-liquid from anE-liquid container is dispensed into the apparatus; and
 2. a secondengagement means configured to attach the base to an E-liquid containerso that the second fluid passageway is in fluid communication with theE-liquid container; (b) a check valve that regulates flow of theE-liquid through the first fluid passageway into the chamber, the checkvalve comprising: i. a closing member; and ii. a biasing member thatbiases the closing member into a sealing relationship with the firstfluid passageway.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thechamber of the electronic vaporization device contains a vapor chimneyand the closing member is configured to seal the vapor chimney when theapparatus is attached to the chamber, while allowing E-liquid to bedispensed into the chamber through the first fluid passageway.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first fluid passagewaycomprises an opening in the top of the apparatus, and the biasing memberbiases the closing member into a sealing relationship with the opening.4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein closing member has ashape selected from the group of: spherical, hemispherical, rectangular,conical, cubical, pyramidal, prismatic, and frusticonical.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the biasing member is selectedfrom the group of: springs; sealed air chambers; and combinationsthereof.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising anE-liquid container attached to the base of the apparatus.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement means isselected from the group of: slots; silicone seals; and combinationsthereof.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second fluidpassageway comprises a structure selected from the group of a hole;o-ring; port; metal ring; rubber ring; silicone ring; and combinationsthereof.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the E-liquidcontains a substance to be vaporized, wherein the substance is selectedfrom the group of: glycerin; propylene glycol; flavorings; nicotine;medicaments; and combinations thereof.
 10. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising an adapter that is configured to couple theapparatus with the chamber.
 11. An apparatus for dispensing E-liquidinto a chamber of an electronic vaporization device, the apparatuscomprising: (a) a housing comprising a top and a base and enclosing avoid that is configured to contain the E-liquid, wherein: i. the topcomprises:
 1. a first fluid passageway in fluid communication with thevoid and through which the E-liquid is dispensed into the chamber; and2. a first engagement means configured to attach the apparatus to thechamber so that the first fluid passageway is in fluid communicationwith the chamber; and ii. the base comprises:
 1. a second fluidpassageway in fluid communication with the void and through whichE-liquid from an E-liquid container is dispensed into the apparatus; and2. a second engagement means configured to attach the base to anE-liquid container so that the second fluid passageway is in fluidcommunication with the E-liquid container; (b) a check valve thatregulates flow of the E-liquid through the second fluid passageway intothe apparatus from the E-liquid container, the check valve comprising:i. a closing member; and ii. a biasing member that biases the closingmember into a sealing relationship with the second fluid passageway. 12.The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of thetop is configured to insert into an opening in the chamber when theapparatus is attached to the chamber.
 13. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein chamber comprises a vapor chimney, and the at least aportion of the top is configured to seal the vapor chimney when theapparatus is attached to the chamber while allowing E-liquid to bedispensed into the chamber through the first fluid passageway.
 14. Theapparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second fluid passagewaycomprises an opening in the base of the apparatus, and the biasingmember biases the closing member into a sealing relationship with theopening.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising anE-liquid storage container attached to the bottom of the apparatus. 16.The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the biasing member isselected from the group of: springs; sealed air chambers; andcombinations thereof.
 17. A method of dispensing an E-liquid into thechamber of an electronic vaporization device, the method comprising thesteps of: (a) providing an apparatus comprising a top and a base, andenclosing a void that is configured to contain the E-liquid, wherein:ii. the top comprises:
 1. a first fluid passageway in fluidcommunication with the void and through which the E-liquid is dispensedinto the chamber; and
 2. a first engagement means configured to attachthe apparatus to the chamber so that the first fluid passageway is influid communication with the chamber; ii. the base comprises:
 1. asecond fluid passageway in fluid communication with the void and throughwhich E-liquid from an E-liquid container is dispensed into theapparatus; and
 2. a second engagement means configured to attach thebase to an E-liquid container so that the second fluid passageway is influid communication with the E-liquid container; and wherein flow of theE-liquid through the apparatus is regulated by a check valve comprising:i. a closing member; and ii. a biasing member; (b) attaching theapparatus to the chamber via the first engagement means to form a firstassembly; and (c) dispensing the E-liquid through the first fluidpassageway into the chamber.
 18. The method according to claim 17,wherein the chamber contains a vapor chimney, the method furthercomprising the step of sealing the vapor chimney with the closingmember.
 19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising thestep of attaching an E-liquid container to the base of the apparatus viathe second engagement means to form a second assembly.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 19, further comprising inverting the second assemblyand dispensing E-liquid from the E-liquid container into the first fluidpassageway, through the void, through the second passageway and into thechamber.
 21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the void ispre-filled with E-liquid prior to attaching the apparatus to the chamberto form the first assembly.
 22. An apparatus for dispensing E-liquidinto a chamber of an electronic vaporization device, wherein theapparatus is pre-loaded with the E-liquid and comprises: (a) a housingcomprising a top and a base and enclosing a void that is configured tocontain the E-liquid, wherein: ii. the top comprises:
 1. a first fluidpassageway in fluid communication with the void and through which theE-liquid is dispensed into the chamber; and
 2. a first engagement meansconfigured to attach the apparatus to the chamber so that the firstfluid passageway is in fluid communication with the chamber; and (b) acheck valve that regulates flow of the E-liquid through the first fluidpassageway into the chamber, the check valve comprising: i. a closingmember; and ii. a biasing member that biases the closing member into asealing relationship with the first fluid passageway.